First Reading

Reading from the book of the Acts of the Apostles 

Acts 12, 24–13, 5

At that time, the word of the Lord spread and multiplied. After completing their mission in Jerusalem, Saul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, taking with them John Mark.

There were in the Christian community of Antioch some prophets and teachers, such as Barnabas, Simon (called the “Black”), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. One day they were fasting and worshiping the Lord, and the Holy Spirit said to them: “Set apart for me Saul and Barnabas for the mission to which I have called them.” They fasted and prayed again; then they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Thus, sent by the Holy Spirit, Saul and Barnabas went down to Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus. Upon arriving at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint John

John 12, 44-50

At that time, Jesus cried out with a loud voice: “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me alone but in him who sent me. Whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.

If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”